Praying Rosary with Fingers?

[Deltadeliquent]

The whole point of having a child is so they can leave the nest and begin their own, independent lives. I’m not advocating the his young man go against his parents in every way,
I’m not advocating that he go against them in terms of big things like drugs, or sex, or school.

But simply praying is of no harm to anyone, and will do him and even the whole world good. In going against his parents in this rather small thing he is also declaring his independence and separation from his parents. He is forming his own identity.
That’s his JOB at this stage in his life.

It sounds like his parents are un naturally controlling of his choices. And who would object to his son becoming religious? Woud they rather he sneak porn or some the other horible things young peope get up to? This small sneak, for a very good reason, and for a very good thing, is a small but significant step towards becoming who he will be as an adult.

I wish my son had had such a desire when he was younger. The rosary is a much better activity than World of Warcraft.

 

[Rete]

If they said he cannot own rosary beads, then they didn’t say he couldn’t pray the rosary (using his fingers).

I am not sure the commandment to honor your parents applies to something holy and sacramental. Your parents cannot rightly order you to not pray Our Father. This really isn’t any different.

If they don’t want to see Catholic sacramentals, then fine. You don’t need a physical rosary to pray the rosary. It’s easily done on your fingers.

 

[Bergon]

The whole point of having a child is so they can leave the nest and begin their own, independent lives. I’m not advocating the his young man go against his parents in every way,
I’m not advocating that he go against them in terms of big things like drugs, or sex, or school.

But simply praying is of no harm to anyone, and will do him and even the whole world good. In going against his parents in this rather small thing he is also declaring his independence and separation from his parents. He is forming his own identity.
That’s his JOB at this stage in his life.

It sounds like his parents are un naturally controlling of his choices. And who would object to his son becoming religious? Woud they rather he sneak porn or some the other horible things young peope get up to? This small sneak, for a very good reason, and for a very good thing, is a small but significant step towards becoming who he will be as an adult.

I wish my son had had such a desire when he was younger. The rosary is a much better activity than World of Warcraft.

Would you be happy if your son were to join a Satan worshipping cult?

 

[Bergon]

If they said he cannot own rosary beads, then they didn’t say he couldn’t pray the rosary (using his fingers).

I am not sure the commandment to honor your parents applies to something holy and sacramental. Your parents cannot rightly order you to not pray Our Father. This really isn’t any different.

If they don’t want to see Catholic sacramentals, then fine. You don’t need a physical rosary to pray the rosary. It’s easily done on your fingers.

We are to obey our parents other than to obey any parental instruction to commit a sin. Prohibiting their son from having a set of Rosary beads is not making him sin. The road to the true faith is not an easy one. By accepting these sacrifices we can develop. As I said in a previous post the only easy road leads to damnation. I commend this young man for having the fortitude to both obey his parents and to persevere in his Catholic Faith.

 

[bben15]

I am more shocked and dismayed at the treatment this young man is getting from his parents.

He already indicated that if there was a way to get a rosary, he would have already. He is obeying God’s call and his parents are preventing him from following his faith.

He sounds like he has good judgment in following his parents from what he’s posted already. He will probably use that good judgment in acting, or not acting on the advice he gets here.

God bless him.

I wish I had a son like him.

That warmed my heart. Thank you.

 

[ajecphotos]

I have prayed the rosary with just my fingers. If that ks all you have then it is fine.

 

[ToTheCross]

I am shocked and dismayed at how many people, even Catholics, are suggesting that this child disobey his mother and own a rosary. He is forbidden from owning a rosary. Honor thy Father and Mother. These are not difficult rules to understand. Thanks be to God that he is not forbidden from praying the rosary, because that would be more problematic.

I am praying for the OP and the conversion of his mother’s heart.

This answer confuses me. I no longer live with my parents, but if they had said to me growing up that I cannot own a book (let’s say Harry Potter, since there’s so much controversy about that), I can infer they do not want me to read that book. Just as they would not want me to go out and secretly buy a copy, I don’t think they would like me going to a book store or library and reading the book there. Sort of the difference between the letter and the spirit of the law (or in this case, of a command/request).

From the point of view of this situation, the parents saying the OP cannot own a rosary goes hand in hand with saying he should not pray it (considering the topic of the thread, what else would he want it for?). In this case, they are hindering their child’s path to God, and he is now at an age where he can recognize that, and choose for himself.

But as others have said on here, the parents may have other reasons (i.e. they do not want their son caught up on brightly colored beads vs. the actual prayers, etc. etc.). The OP alone can know for sure.

At some point in time the child grows up and leaves their parents’ house. Questioning parents is part of that growing up because at some point he may have to concede that his parents are wrong about something, and he has to make up his own mind. For example, growing up, I was obedient to my parents, and so was pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage. These ideas are more dangerous than whether or not to own a rosary, but without questioning my parents, I might never have come to see that. When being obedient to our parents endangers the call from God to our own hearts, might it not be acceptable to question our obedience? In the end, who do we love more: God, or our parents?

Incidentally, praying the rosary help me come to see the evils in abortion and gay marriage.

On a more related note, as someone else has said, I think it is more important to say the prayers than own physical beads, but owning a physical rosary can help in more ways than one. I have trouble concentrating sometimes when I am not multi-tasking, so being able to absent-mindedly twist beads in my hands while I am meditating on the mysteries and saying the prayers helps me to focus more completely.

 

[Elizium23]

I have allowed the OP to interpret his mother’s command for us, and in his interpretation, it is OK for him to make prayers, it is the physical object which his mother seems to object to. So unless he has a conversation with her in which he finds out that she actually forbids him to pray to Mary, then we can operate on the assumption that he is not so forbidden. I don’t know what’s so difficult about taking facts at face value. Oh wait, this is the Internet, where we speculate wildly even in the face of evidence.

 

[CarolNoel]

I do it all of the time when I am out running.

 

[bben15]

I have allowed the OP to interpret his mother’s command for us, and in his interpretation, it is OK for him to make prayers, it is the physical object which his mother seems to object to. So unless he has a conversation with her in which he finds out that she actually forbids him to pray to Mary, then we can operate on the assumption that he is not so forbidden. I don’t know what’s so difficult about taking facts at face value. Oh wait, this is the Internet, where we speculate wildly even in the face of evidence.

It has really nothing to do with a physical object. She does not want me praying the rosary. She hates Catholicism and anything related to it. But, I do it anyway. She does not like my opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion in all circumstances.

To be honest, yes, the commandment is to honor thy mother and father. But, that commandment should not hinder our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Blessed Lady. If I had the opportunity to obtain a rosary, I would. The rosary is not just a physical object. Once blessed, it becomes a sacramental. By using the sacramental, you obtain graces and indulgences. I could never deny graces freely offered to me because of my mother.

I thank all of you for your advice.

 

[Bergon]

This answer confuses me. I no longer live with my parents, but if they had said to me growing up that I cannot own a book (let’s say Harry Potter, since there’s so much controversy about that), I can infer they do not want me to read that book. Just as they would not want me to go out and secretly buy a copy, I don’t think they would like me going to a book store or library and reading the book there. Sort of the difference between the letter and the spirit of the law (or in this case, of a command/request).

From the point of view of this situation, the parents saying the OP cannot own a rosary goes hand in hand with saying he should not pray it (considering the topic of the thread, what else would he want it for?). In this case, they are hindering their child’s path to God, and he is now at an age where he can recognize that, and choose for himself.

But as others have said on here, the parents may have other reasons (i.e. they do not want their son caught up on brightly colored beads vs. the actual prayers, etc. etc.). The OP alone can know for sure.

At some point in time the child grows up and leaves their parents’ house. Questioning parents is part of that growing up because at some point he may have to concede that his parents are wrong about something, and he has to make up his own mind. For example, growing up, I was obedient to my parents, and so was pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage. These ideas are more dangerous than whether or not to own a rosary, but without questioning my parents, I might never have come to see that. When being obedient to our parents endangers the call from God to our own hearts, might it not be acceptable to question our obedience? In the end, who do we love more: God, or our parents?

Incidentally, praying the rosary help me come to see the evils in abortion and gay marriage.

On a more related note, as someone else has said, I think it is more important to say the prayers than own physical beads, but owning a physical rosary can help in more ways than one. I have trouble concentrating sometimes when I am not multi-tasking, so being able to absent-mindedly twist beads in my hands while I am meditating on the mysteries and saying the prayers helps me to focus more completely.

Part of our faith is obedience to our parents. It doesn’t have to be a choice between God and parents. Through obeying our parents we can demonstrate our love for God. Our path to God is never an easy one to travel. If this young man’s parents told him to sin he could disobey them. They are not telling him to sin so he does right to obey them. The examples you gave are different. Abortion and gay marriage are both morally repugnant and if his parents tried making him support them is would be right for him to be disobedient but not in the situation he gives

 

[Cathy_Crossbuck]

Dear OP, there are many ways to obtain graces and indulgences. Ask and you shall receive. God is a loving father and will give you all the graces you need and more. Ask Him for right judgement and you will make a good choice with respect to your mother’s wishes. Many people here are praying for you. As for the rosary beads, it really is the prayer that counts not the tool. Be open to the graces God wants to give you and He will give them to you abundantly.

 

[Elizium23]

Perhaps this is an opportunity for witness to your mother. Is she Christian? Does she reject prayer to Mary specifically, or Catholic prayer in general? Perhaps you could explain why and how we pray to Mary, and how that is not worship or idolatry. Perhaps you could, for now, choose to pray other Catholic prayers which do not offend her. Nobody has a mandate to pray the rosary.

If she is not Christian, or she rejects Catholic prayer in general, then that is a harder problem. But at any rate the first step is for members here to pray for you. We will pray on your behalf, and no matter what your mother has forbidden, she has no authority over us, and cannot prevent the Holy Spirit from working in her life or yours. Be at peace and know that you are only a minor for a short time, and that eventually you will be an adult with the ability to do as you please, that is, whatever pleases God. Your mother may hold you spiritually hostage for a little while but not forever. You are in my prayers.

 

[arcangel49]

Hello! I am glad that there are other teens that actually pray the rosary!
If you wanted, i could send you one. I have been collecting rosaries since i was little, and i have amassed so many, i would love to send you one, as long as it is used and respected,

If not, you can buy cheap rosaries at most dollar stores, just check to see if they have the correct amount of beads. Also, most hospitals (at least catholic ones) sell higher quality ones.

 

[Marie1234]

Hello. I have a special devotion to the Rosary. I love it so much. I pray it at least three times a day, but usually more. Yesterday, for example, I prayed it seven times. But, I’m forbidden by my mother from owning a rosary, so I’m forced to pray it with my fingers. Since I live in a small town, far away from any Christian bookstore, I cannot secretly buy one. Is it fine to pray it with my fingers, or is it preferred that I use beads? I read that I could not obtain an indulgence if I didn’t have a physical Rosary. Is this true?

God bless you for answering my question.

You could make a rosary out of string

Here’s a youtube link

youtube.com/watch?v=sUoSFVULn64

God Bless!

 

[arcangel49]

I am shocked and dismayed at how many people, even Catholics, are suggesting that this child disobey his mother and own a rosary. He is forbidden from owning a rosary. Honor thy Father and Mother. These are not difficult rules to understand. Thanks be to God that he is not forbidden from praying the rosary, because that would be more problematic.

I am praying for the OP and the conversion of his mother’s heart.

Respecting ones father and mother does not apply here. It is obvious that his parents are not acting in his best interest, and therefore he does not need to respect their decision as it is damaging to his own well being. He does, however, need to respect his parent’s beliefs

 

[bben15]

Perhaps this is an opportunity for witness to your mother. Is she Christian? Does she reject prayer to Mary specifically, or Catholic prayer in general? Perhaps you could explain why and how we pray to Mary, and how that is not worship or idolatry. Perhaps you could, for now, choose to pray other Catholic prayers which do not offend her. Nobody has a mandate to pray the rosary.

If she is not Christian, or she rejects Catholic prayer in general, then that is a harder problem. But at any rate the first step is for members here to pray for you. We will pray on your behalf, and no matter what your mother has forbidden, she has no authority over us, and cannot prevent the Holy Spirit from working in her life or yours. Be at peace and know that you are only a minor for a short time, and that eventually you will be an adult with the ability to do as you please, that is, whatever pleases God. Your mother may hold you spiritually hostage for a little while but not forever. You are in my prayers.

My mother is a Lutheran. My mother most likely got her anti-Catholicism from my grandmother, who is also anti-Catholic. The only way 18 years of anti-Catholicism can be stripped away is through prayer, not debate. In the meantime, my trials are pleasing to our Lord. I’m discerning if He is calling me to His Holy Priesthood. This may be His way of “grooming” me for the Priesthood.

There may be no mandate to pray the Rosary, but there should be. The Rosary is a powerful weapon against evil and temptation. As St. Padre Pio said,“The Rosary is The Weapon.” The more you pray it, the easier it is to avoid sin. Think of the Rosary as a blanket. A blanket protects you from the cold. Two blankets are better than one. Two blankets will better protect you from the cold than one blanket will. The Rosary similar to this. Every time you pray the Rosary, another “blanket” of protection is added on. Remember Our Lady’s 15 Promises of the Rosary.

I thank you for your prayers. I will pray for you.

 

[bben15]

Hello! I am glad that there are other teens that actually pray the rosary!
If you wanted, i could send you one. I have been collecting rosaries since i was little, and i have amassed so many, i would love to send you one, as long as it is used and respected,

If not, you can buy cheap rosaries at most dollar stores, just check to see if they have the correct amount of beads. Also, most hospitals (at least catholic ones) sell higher quality ones.

Maybe I’ll make a Rosary own of yarn. I prefer a Rosary of the poor, not of the rich. Even if I had the opportunity to get a nice Rosary, I wouldn’t. I would prefer a rope with wooden beads and a wooden crucifix than a Rosary with gold or silver or diamonds. Maybe I’ll make a chotki while I’m at it. As Blessed John Paul II said, “The Church breathes on two lungs.”

 

[inmortisexamine]

I was thinking about posting some knitting instructions (which really aren’t all that great to begin with) but then I realized that a young man who is a minor probably doesn’t knit

Do not worry about the details. A rosary is a rosary is a rosary. I admire your strength, devotion, and maturity.

 

[ToTheCross]

I was going to post a reply, but it seems to me, bben15, that you have things under control. I will offer up a rosary for you tonight.

I will say though that I like Elizium23’s idea of witnessing to your mother, and to your family, but on God’s timing. Pray for the right opportunity and help to evangelize them, too.

God bless you.